If you are in the market for a new mower, you are probably already considering a zero turn mower. Zero turn mowers are often considered the pinnacle of mowing, but do they live up to the hype?   

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Zero Turn Mower?

Zero turn mowers have amazing qualities that earning a premier reputation, but they do have some considerable drawbacks.

Benefits of Zero Turn Mowers

Before highlighting the downsides of zero turn mowers, let’s look at their beloved qualities.

• Close cuts - Zero turn mowers offer unmatched maneuverability. They effectively can turn on their axis—hence the name. If you have hedges to trim around or other obstacles on your lawn, a zero turn mower will allow you to get incredibly close cuts with relative ease.

• Visibility - Zero turn mowers use lap bars for steering. Lap bars are a little different than traditional steering mechanisms, but they come with seriously improved visibility.

• Speed - You will mow your lawn faster with a zero turn mower. The speed of zero turn mowers combined with their incredible turning radius gets the job done more quickly. The more land you have to mow, the more significant the time saving. If you have serious acreage to mow, it is hard to beat a zero turn mower.    

Disadvantages of Zero Turn Mowers

• Skill barrier - Operating a zero turn mower is a little different than other mowers. Getting used to the lap bar and steering capabilities of the mower can be tough. If you have no zero turn experience, make sure to take some time to familiarize yourself with your rig before taking it out on your lawn. Otherwise, you might cause some unwanted damage.

• Fuel Inefficient - Zero turn mowers are often equipped with big powerful engines that quickly burn fuel. If you decide to go with a zero turn, expect to the power you buy to cost you gas.

• Slope averse - Zero turn mowers do not handle slopes well. On flat surfaces, zero turn mowers are unbeatable, on sloping pastures they can be a pain.

• Cost - The biggest drawback of zero turn mowers is their cost. If you’re looking at residential grade zero turn mowers, expect to spend between $2000-$7000. Professional grade zero turns will cost more than that.

Is a Zero Turn Worth the Money?

Buying a zero turn mower is usually an easy decision for people with a serious amount of grass to mow. The efficiency of a zero turn mower is impossible to beat. That said, if you have less than 4 acres, a zero turn mower is an expensive luxury.   

If you’re still in the market for a zero turn mower after getting this far, Kubota products are hard to beat. With a wide selection of mowers to choose from, you will easily find Kubota mower that suits your needs.

Zero turn mowers are simply the best choice for large lawns. If you have a big property and value your time, you should seriously consider eating the upfront cost and getting used to the zero turn life.